The below Parliamentary question was asked by Pauline Latham on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the NHS budget was spent on public relations and communications in each of the last five years.
Alistair Burt
The Department does not hold the requested information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department issues to sperm banks on the grounds for rejecting donors.
Jane Ellison
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) issues guidance to licensed clinics, including sperm banks, on donor recruitment, assessment and screening in the HFEA Code of Practice. A copy of which is attached.
The HFEA requires clinics to select donors on the basis of their age, health and medical history, provided on a questionnaire and through a personal interview performed by a qualified and trained healthcare professional. This assessment must include relevant factors that may assist in identifying and screening out persons whose donations could present a health risk to others, such as the possibility of transmitting diseases, (such as sexually transmitted infections) or health risks to themselves (e.g. the risks associated with the egg collection procedure or the psychological consequences of being a donor).
Clinics should ensure that its procedures for recruiting donors are fair and non-discriminatory. The HFEA has never required or endorsed prohibiting people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disorders from becoming sperm donors. In relation to the recent press coverage about a particular centre, the HFEA has clarified its requirements for selecting donors with this centre, and has reviewed all the exemptions cited in the centre’s materials, to ensure that all future donors are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Pauline Latham on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many public relations and communications staff have been hired directly by the NHS in each of the last five years.
Alistair Burt
The Department does not hold the requested information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is planning to give to countries affected by the Zika virus.
Mr Hugo Swire
British officials across the Americas have been working closely with their counterparts on steps to understand and prevent the spread of the disease. We have focused particularly on Brazil, which has seen the highest number of cases in the region. On 26 January, the UK announced a new Zika research project between Glasgow University and Fiocruz, a leading biomedical research centre in Brazil. The following day, a scientist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine arrived in Recife to support Zika research led by the Pan American Health Organsation. Discussions are also ongoing between FCO officials and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency with regards to combating this virus. On 1 February, the World Health Organisation (WHO) categorised the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This declaration by the WHO allows for the immediate allocation of emergency funds to support their necessary medical research. The United Kingdom is already the WHO’s second largest donor, providing a £15 million assessed contribution in 2015 in addition to a further, voluntary, contribution from the Department For International Development (DFID) of £14.5 million.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the duration of ambassadorial postings (a) where HM Ambassador is a speaker of the official language of the country to which he is posted (b) where HM Ambassador’s primary foreign language is not that of the country to which he is posted.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The majority of Heads of Mission have a tour length of three or four years, unless they are posted to a hardship or conflict post where the tour may be shorter. Around 100 Heads of Mission roles require language skills and are designated “speaker slots”.
We offer language training to Heads of Mission where this is required. The FCO Language Centre was re-opened in September 2013 to renew the focus and investment in languages as a core diplomatic skill to ensure that we get the right people with the right skills in the right jobs to deliver our foreign policy objectives. The Language Centre gives us a strong platform to grow our language skills as an organisation and develop a pipeline of talent to fill language slots on a continuous basis. It is essential that all our Heads of Mission have the necessary skills, including languages, to do their jobs. Many of our Heads of Mission will return to Posts where they have existing language capability, in these cases we will provide top up or refresher training. Our Head of Mission Appointment Boards take into account language skills as part of the overall assessment of suitability for a role. In some cases the best candidate may not already speak the language and for these roles we will provide longer training to reach the requisite level. We encourage all those who have undergone language training to maintain their language skills throughout their careers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assurances he has sought that the lifting of international sanctions on Iran will not result in an increase in overseas operations by Iran’s Quds Force; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Sanctions related to Iran’s human rights record and support for terrorism – including those on Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members and entities sanctioned for these reasons – are not affected by the nuclear deal. They remain in place and will continue to be enforced. The IRGC, which includes the Quds Force, is still a sanctioned entity. The lifting of financial and economic sanctions represents a real opportunity for Iranians to make positive decisions about their country’s future and its role in the region.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will discuss freedom of religion with his Iranian counterpart.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
I discuss many issues with my Iranian counterparts. I have repeatedly called on the Iranian Government to end all persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith, and to guarantee the human rights of all Iranians, regardless of belief, and I will continue to do so.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will raise with the UN the need for all member states to endorse the international campaign against female genital mutilation.
Mr Nick Hurd
The UK has taken the lead internationally in supporting the African-led movement to end female genital mutilation. We lead by example, as the largest donor ever, investing £35m over 5 years in a programme in 17 countries. Last year we successfully worked with others to push for the inclusion of an indicator on female genital mutilation in the Global Goals that applies not only to some, but to all countries. We co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolutions on female genital mutilation in 2012 and 2014.
In 2014, the Prime Minister co-hosted Girl Summit with UNICEF, which galvanised unprecedented international support. Girl Summit secured 500 signatories to a charter and over 170 commitments from governments, civil society and individuals. Increased funding was committed to the UN Joint Programmes on female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage. We continue to urge others to do more.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will take a position on sovereignty of the Spratly Islands.
Mr Hugo Swire
We take no position on the sovereignty of the Spratly Islands or other disputed features in the South China Sea. However, we are clear that the disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role his Department has played in advising the Sovereign on the UK’s position on the future use, style and designation accorded to UK nationals of British dual nationals of the Queen’s Commonwealth realms; and what changes there have been to established practice in the last two years.
James Duddridge
I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 18 January 2016 (PQ 22935). The recognition of foreign honours is a matter for the Royal Prerogative.